A Big Day in Lilongwe: Car Transfer and Visa Extension
Today was a really big day — one I had been waiting for. Stephen, one of the administrators at Nakoma Mission Hospital, and I drove together in my car to Lilongwe. The scenery along the way was amazing as always. We picked up a passenger along the route and dropped them off before heading to our first destination.
Part 1: Stamping Out the Carnet de Passage at the MRA
Our first stop was the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA). The purpose was to get my Carnet de Passage stamped out, essentially removing the car from being registered under my name in Malawi since I’m passing it on to the hospital. That was the key piece for me being able to make arrangements to depart.
I had been to the MRA before, so finding it again was easy. With Stephen’s help, we navigated through a few people, went upstairs, and waited. Finally, the right person got a hold of the document and we were able to get it stamped out. Stephen also found out that the MRA expected the car to be left at their facility for about two weeks while they formalize the transfer and ensure everything is suitable for the hospital.
Part 2: Extending My Visa at Immigration
Since I entered Malawi on April 6th, I was given 30 days to stay. This being May 4th, I only had one more day unless I got an extension stamped in my passport. Stephen knew exactly where to go. The immigration office was very busy and parking was difficult, but we found a shortcut to the right place. They were happy to stamp my passport, and I was happy to receive it. There was no cost involved — just like the MRA stamp.
Getting both of these critical items handled quickly was a huge relief, because you never know what obstacles might come up.
Celebrating with Coffee
With our two main tasks accomplished, we found a coffee shop to celebrate. It was a place I had already visited, but Stephen suggested it because he knew the owner. It was a nice moment to pause and reflect on the day’s accomplishments.
Visiting Stephen’s Property
Stephen intended to stay in Lilongwe at his own property, so I drove him there. He has about 2.5 acres, mostly filled with cassava. He also has pigeons, chickens, rabbits, and corn grown for seeds. The seeds need to be dried and removed from the cob, which is a lot of work, but Stephen says it’s what he really enjoys. He has workers helping manage everything, and the whole place is fenced — which is very common across Africa.
His long-term plan is to save money to build a house on the property and possibly add some lodgings as well.
Heading Back to Hope’s Inn
I drove back to Hope’s Inn on my own, stopping along the way to buy some barbecued meat from a roadside food stand near the Nakoma Mission Hospital turnoff. The barbecued meat generally tastes good, and vendors always try to sell other things too, but I didn’t need anything else.
Looking Ahead: Booking a Flight to Nairobi
Back at Hope’s Inn, I felt very accomplished. Now I could finally look at flight schedules and book a flight. My first flight is intended to go to Nairobi. This journey is coming to an end, and I’m grateful for everyone who has been following along. More about the next steps another time — but I’m moving forward now.
